Stephanie Kasper named National Jersey Queen on Owatonna

Chalk up another dairy honor for Steele County. This past weekend, Stephanie Kasper, daughter of Pete and Karen Kasper was crowned the National Jersey Queen at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky.
Stephanie, a senior at Owatonna High School, represented the State of Minnesota in the competition and was one of 11 girls from all over the nation competing. Competition included a two-minute speech on the subject of how to sell the Jersey breed, a personal interview, a 50 question written quiz, a group discussion and two oral questions on stage.
As the national queen, Stephanie will represent the Jersey breeders at various annual meetings including the American Jersey Cattle Association in Washington next June, the Western National Jersey Show in Utah and the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., next October.
Stephanie is the third Minnesota Jersey queen to reach the national title since 1964. Her sister, Caitlin, was a first alternate to the national Jersey queen in 2006. Caitlin is a member of the University of Minnesota Dairy Judging Team and was in Louisville for competition, so she and her parents were able to be at the banquet where the national queen was announced. Although the Kaspers milk Holsteins, their kids, Anthony, Caitlin and Stephanie have adopted the Jersey breed and milk around 40 of them.
Congratulations, Stephanie.

Salvation Army needs you at holiday time
The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle campaign needs you. The bell ringing campaign relies on volunteers to man the Christmas kettles from Nov. 27 to Dec. 24. Maureen Schlobohm is coordinating the Christmas kettle this year.
“We are seeing a significant increase in the needs of people in our community and this really offers a fun way for families, neighbors and friends to get involved and become a part of this century old Christmas tradition. With the help of volunteers, the Steele County Salvation Army will continue to provide emergency assistance and comfort to those who are struggling in our area,” Maureen said.
Two hours of your time can make a big difference. To volunteer, call Maureen at (507) 676-2869.

Celebrate the season with Woman’s Club
The annual Holiday Charity Event sponsored by the Woman’s Club of Owatonna is set for Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Eagles Club in Owatonna. “Celebrate the Season” is the theme of the event and DC Music will be providing the entertainment. Proceeds this year will go to the Hospitality House of Owatonna and the Recovery School of Southern Minnesota. The night includes a sandwich buffet. Tickets are $20 per person and are available at Kottke Jewelers and at the door. Joan Salmonsen is the chair of the event.

Husband of OHS grad passes away
John Timberg, 53, the husband of OHS grad Kathleen McEnaney, died on Oct. 31 from head injuries he received in a motorcycle crash last August. Friends of Kathleen can send a card to 6019 Ridgewood Road, Mound, MN 55364.

Festival of trees starts this Friday
Advocates for Developmental Disabilities of Steele and Waseca Counties will hold its 19th annual “Festival of Trees” at the Owatonna Holiday Inn beginning this Friday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. The opening night gala is a festive evening of sparkling trees, holiday music, live and silent auction, and delectable hors d’oeuvres all wrapped in a gift package of good will.
This Sunday, Nov. 22, Breakfast with Santa will be held at the Holiday Inn from 9 a.m. to noon. There will also be a holiday boutique from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day in the Holiday Inn ballroom.
Tickets for the Gala and Breakfast may be purchased in Owatonna at Kottke’s, Cash Wise and Hy-Vee Foods or by calling the ADD office at 451-9769.

Upcoming benefit concert
Hot ‘n Bothered and Friends are holding benefit concerts for the Owatonna Arts Center this Friday, Nov. 20, and Saturday, Nov. 21, beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are available in advance from Tone Music, Kottke Jewelers and the Arts Center… $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Musicians will be Vianna Bohlen, Mike Chinander, John Lestock, Michael and Tammi Ferch, David Dow, Kirsten (Ruth) Elstad, Mark Sebring, Steve Lingman, Jessica Dant and Kevin Ideker.

American Education Week teacher honorees
This is American Education Week and 30 and 25 year teachers will be honored at a banquet this Wednesday. Thirty year teachers include Kathy Ihlenfeld, Karen Malin and Maureen Zishka. Twenty five year teachers include Al Arnold, Joanne Lockner (retired), Shelby Phillips, Linda Skrien and Marshal Wright. Also congratulations to Kathy Larson who received the BEST award for excellence in business education at the 2009 Minnesota Business Educators fall conference.

OHS grad Luvern Ressler has served all over the world
I had a long chat with 1947 OHS grad Luvern Resler who is now retired from the U.S. Department of the Interior after a long career that has taken him all over the world. Vern now lives in Denver. He was the son of Anton and Myrtle Resler. The Resler family farmed near Pratt. Vern’s career was related to his love of farming and Ag research. He did his work in Mexico, Thailand (where he developed a soil and water analysis laboratory), Laos, Cambodia, Yeman, Algeria, Spain and Morocco. He retired in 1987. He and his wife Evelyn, who he met while she was working at Jostens, have been married 56 years. He has a daughter and a son in California. A sister, Marge, lives in Anaheim and a brother Don lives in Owatonna. Luvern’s address is 12448 W. 17th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215.

What a project
I’ve been watching with interest the roofing job going on near my house at St. John Lutheran Church in Owatonna. That roof is probably the steepest pitched roof in town and the workers literally hang on the sides with harnesses attached to them. I talked with Marion Nikoley, a long-time member of the church. He tells me that the shingles on that roof are the originals… 50-years-old. When those shingles were installed, there was very little insulation included, so with new technology of insulation being used today, it is hoped that the roof will be much more efficient and will result in cost savings in heating. Casey-Grosbeck is the general contractor doing the job and is racing with the calendar to finish before winter sets in. According to Sam Woods, owner of Casey-Grosbeck, safety on such a project is a priority. The shingles are coated metal and according to Woods should easily last another 50 years.

E-G Veterans Memorial
Roger Swearingen of Ellendale is heading up the construction of the new Ellendale-Geneva Veterans Memorial to be located in downtown Ellendale. Plans for the memorial include a garden type setting located on the west side of the old clinic building next to the Ellendale Community Center. There will be paver bricks covering the majority of the area honoring local veterans. The wall of the building will have a hand-painted sign with all branches of the armed services depicted on it. Bricks are being made available for a donation of $75. They will have the name, branch, dates of service, and special medals awarded to the individuals. Any service member killed in action will have a larger brick placed into the memorial at no extra cost. Donations are now being accepted through First National Bank of Ellendale. For information, call Cali Davis at First National Bank in Owatonna or Swearingen at (507) 475-3110.

Galaxy Girl to headline 2010 fair
The contract has been signed and fairgoers at the 2010 Steele County Free Fair will enjoy the performance of “Galaxy Girl” twice daily as a free attraction on the Merriam Midway. The Galaxy Girl performs high atop the highest sway pole in the world. Her stunts take place over 127 feet in the air on the aerial space needle, without the aid of any nets or safety devices. Shows will be at 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. daily with an extra show on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

OHS grad to sing of the old west
Former Owatonnan Hal Cassen, who now lives in Arizona, will be coming to the 2010 Steele County Free Fair to entertain on both the Fair Square and KRFO Stages. Hal has a beautiful voice and has put out several CD’s of his favorite western music. Now this isn’t the modern day western music. Hal concentrates on the classic cowboy western music. You’ll hear such songs as Back in the Saddle Again, Ghost Riders in the Sky, Streets of Larado, Deep in the Heart Texas, Cool Water and more. He will bring with him Don Donaldson, a guitar playing accompanist. Hal came to Owatonna in 1947 with his family. His parents were Henry and Edith Cassen. They met at the State School. She took care of babies and he was the ice man. The family moved from California to Minnesota back to a farm located in Clinton Falls across from the airport. “We lived there for nine wonderful years. This is where I grew up. The friends I met while attending Roosevelt grade school and Owatonna High School I will never forget.” Hal said.
Cassen is the fourth of six children in the family. The oldest is his sister, Betty Pichner, now 80 and living in California. Other siblings were Allen (Ike) who passed away in 2000, then Mary (Frederick) of Faribault and Beverly (Edwards) of Paradise, Calif. and Bill Cassen of Georgetown, Calif. Hal actually graduated in 1957 from Foothill High although he would have preferred graduating from Owatonna High. After graduation he went to work for Ryan Aircraft in San Diego, building KC135 jet aircraft. He married Lynda Lewis in 1960, and later divorced. They have three children. Hal was in the newspaper and publishing business for many years. He worked for 22 years with the Sacramento Union newspaper and has been editor of an Equine Endurance and Real Estate Review magazines. He finished his working career with the California State Employees Association as a graphics designer. He is now retired and lives with his partner, former Owatonnan Wanda Ringhofer. We look forward to having Hal with us at the 2010 fair. He will perform in Fair Square on Thursday, Aug. 19, at 6 p.m. and on the KRFO Stage on Saturday, Aug. 21, at 3:30 p.m.

VonRudens honored
Trinity Lutheran Church issues a big thank you to Fred and Avis VonRuden who are retiring after serving over a decade of lining up drivers, taking phone calls and driving the Trinity bus to get parishioners to the church for services.

Westerlund Walleye
The Elks Club in Owatonna invites the public to enjoy the famous walleye recipe of Ken Westerlund this Saturday, Nov. 21. Proceeds go to Elks public service projects. Tickets are $12 in advance (available at the club) and $15 at the door. Serving starts at 5:30 p.m. and runs to 8 p.m.

Jottings
• Ladies Aid of Trinity Lutheran in Medford will hold their annual bazaar, bake sale and luncheon this Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• The Owatonna Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the Owatonna Exchange Club, will be held this Thursday, Nov. 19, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Eagles Club. Tickets at Kottke’s, Hy-Vee and the Chamber of Commerce.

Todd Hale can be reached at thalescff@ll.net or write him at 632 14th St. S.E., Owatonna, MN 55060.

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